Kristen Hendrickson was recently named the UW–Madison School of Education’s chief financial officer (CFO), a position she is starting on Aug. 12.
In this role, Hendrickson will oversee financial forecasting and planning, budget/resource management, business services, facilities management, and human resources. She will work closely with the dean, senior staff, and department and unit leaders to develop transparent budget and financial models and processes to ensure that the School is best utilizing its resources to support its varied and important missions.
Hendrickson has nearly 20 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration in the areas of budget, finance, strategic planning, and the operational functions of a university. She also has 17 years of experience within the UW System, and since 2017 has served as the vice chancellor for business affairs and chief financial officer at UW–Stevens Point.
“Kristen brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this important new role in the School of Education,” says Dean Diana Hess, who holds the Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair of Education. “She has an excellent and extensive proven track record of financial leadership and is already an expert on the University of Wisconsin System. Kristen brings great vision and enthusiasm to the position, and I am thrilled she is joining us.”
Hendrickson will be tasked with developing an overall budget model that leverages the School of Education’s ability to generate additional resources, while also maximizing traditional sources of state funding and tuition.
The School of Education currently has a budget of approximately $135 million, with $80 million of that due to work being conducted within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. Because research and fee-for-service programs play such a large role in achieving the mission of the School, Hendrickson will work with leadership to build these portfolios.
“I’m excited to get to work on strategically and financially positioning the School of Education for continued success,” says Hendrickson. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the School to achieve the strategic priorities that we put forward.”
Prior to her position at UW-Stevens Point, Hendrickson spent three years at UW-Eau Claire as executive director of the Administrative Support and Knowledge Center. From 2011-17, she was director of planning, research, and policy analysis at Illinois State University. Hendrickson also served as the director of the Office of Integrated Planning at UW-River Falls (2006-11) and as a budget and policy analyst with the UW System administration (1999-2006).
Hendrickson is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Illinois State University. She earned a master’s degree in history from the University of South Florida in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Florida State University in 1995.